Once I spoke in the West and a Christian told me, “I’ve been praying for years that the Communist government in China will collapse, so Christians can live in freedom.” This is not what we pray! We never pray against our government or call down curses on them. Instead, we have learned that God is in control of both our own lives and the government we live under. Isaiah prophesied about Jesus, “The government will be on his shoulders.” Isaiah 9:6.
God has used China’s government for his own purposes, moulding and shaping his children as he sees fit. Instead of focusing our prayers against any political system, we pray that regardless of what happens to us, we will be pleasing to God.
Don’t pray for the persecution to stop! We shouldn’t pray for a lighter load to carry, but a stronger back to endure! Then the world will see that God is with us, empowering us to live in a way that reflects his love and power.
This is true freedom!
From The Heavenly Man: The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun
From The Wilcox Family BLOG. (Please leave comments on the BLOG.) http//blog.wilcoxfamily.net%2F%3Fp%3D736
“Don’t pray for the persecution to stop! We shouldn’t pray for a lighter load to carry, but a stronger back to endure! Then the world will see that God is with us, empowering us to live in a way that reflects his love and power.”
Somewhere along the way Western Christians have lost this mentality both in our lives and in our prayer. When we are sick we beg for healing, when we are poor we plead for riches, and when we are depressed we pray for joy.
I believe Yun is correct in his assertion that Christians, rather trying to pray away our troubles, should instead pray for endurance
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2
And people wonder why I read books by Bill Clinton. It is easy to confuse patriotism with faith. If the Old Testament teaches us anything it is that God works differently on the international stage than he does on the interpersonal one.
I haven’t read the book, just your blog comment but I would have to say that I agree. We are soft Christians and think that we are somehow to good to suffer persecution. Paul tells us just the opposite that “all who live Godly shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12 Who are we to counter the word of God. Pray for endurance! We may soon need it.
Agree completely with Andrew Roberts entry.